A/N: Thanks for everyone who hasn't abandoned my story, yet! I'm sorry I'm not very good at updating regularly, but I hope you think the wait was worth it!

Special thanks to BlinkingAngel (who has reviewed every. Single. Chapter ;) ), and a new traveler with my insanity, Darence-evren (because I apparently was taking too long with my story, so they decided that they better make sure I was writing more. Don't feel embarrassed, it makes me happy that you care that much!)

Anyways, enjoy the chappie and the readage (It's slightly longer than usual! :O Shock!)

The Doctor stood by and watched his friends mourning him. It was almost too much to bear, the knowledge that he not only brought about the death of a magnificent person but also the despair he heard in the sobs echoing throughout the shoreline of Lake Silencio. He turned and walked back to the TARDIS; he had a fizzy straw to fetch.

After burning the Doctor's body, the three walked back to the small diner they had gathered at before, glassy eyes staring at TARDIS-blue envelopes, trying to make sense of all that had happened.

"The Doctor knew he was going to his death, so he sent out messages. When you know it's the end, who do you call?" River's brain was working overtime. Her heart was breaking, unknown to the others. She knew who killed the Doctor, she knew it was her, yet she was powerless to stop it. That knowledge just about tore her apart.

Rory's face twisted. "Your friends, people you trust."

River picked a TARDIS-blue envelope off of the old-style diner table. "Number one. Who did the Doctor trust the most?"

They didn't have to think for very long, because seconds later, a door flew open and in sauntered the man in question. River turned her gaze stony as Amy and Rory's mouths dropped in disbelief.

"This is cold. Even by your standards, this is cold."

The Doctor sidestepped neatly towards her. "Or, "Hello," as people used to say."

Amy looked at him, but didn't really see him. She started to wonder if she needed spectacles. "Doctor?" Her voice cracked a little, heartbroken.

The Doctor's smile nearly faltered and his hearts were stabbed a hundred times over in just that one little word.

"I-I just popped out to get my special straw. It adds more fizz." He twirled the straw between his fingers, trying to regain his clown-like attitude.

"You're OK," Amy said, walking around him. "How can you be OK?"

The Doctor gathered her into a hug. "Of course I'm OK, I'm always OK. I'm the king of OK. Oh, that's a rubbish title, forget that title." He turned away from Amy and cheerily cried out, "Rory the Roman, that's a good title. Hello, Rory!" He crushed Rory in an apologetic hug—though they had no idea. He released Rory, and turned to River. He smiled what he hoped was seductive instead of a grimace. "And Doctor River Song... Oh, you bad, bad girl, what trouble have you got for me this time?"

River stared at him, all of her anger and frustration from the past flooding out of her. Not even the Doctor could tell that she knew what had happened when he felt the sting on her hand on his face. The slap echoed throughout the diner. The Doctor gently rubbed his face.

"OK. I'm assuming that's for something I haven't done yet."

"Yes," River gasped, "it is."
The Doctor smiled. "Good, looking forward to it."

Rory paced in a circle, trying feebly to understand what was going on. "I don't understand. How can you be here?" He poked the Doctor squarely in the chest, like the Doctor had so often poked him.

The Doctor leaned back a bit when Rory poked him, then straightened up again. "I was invited. Date, map reference. Same as you lot, I assume, otherwise it's a hell of a coincidence."

"River, what's going on?"

"Amy, ask him what age he is," River ordered without tearing her eyes from the Doctor.

"That's a bit personal," the Doctor piped up.

"Tell her. Tell her what age you are."

"909."

Amy did a double take. "Yeah, but you said..."

River cut her off in a panic. "So where does that leave us? Jim the Fish? Have we done Jim the Fish yet?"

The Doctor smiled, curious. "Who's Jim the Fish?"

"I don't understand," Amy spluttered.

Rory nodded slowly. "Yeah, you do."

"I don't," the Doctor cut in sharply. "What are we all doing here?"
"We've been recruited. Something to do with space, 1969, and a man called Canton Everett Delaware III," River responded.

The Doctor began pacing. "Recruited by who?"

"Someone who trusts you more than anybody else in the universe."

The Doctor turned on her. "And who's that?"

River answered with her age-old mantra. "Spoilers."

(Warning, I'm going to go completely AU on you guys, sorry, very sudden, but this was all I had of the transcript, and I couldn't stick with it the whole time)

The Doctor dragged her away, feigning anger. "I've had it enough with your spoilers! You have to give me some answers." Once they were inside the back room, he opened the TARDIS doors and ushered her inside. She sat down and looked up at him expectantly. He closed the doors silently and walked towards her. "How are you doing?"

"I saw you die today. I thought you did die, and you're asking me how I'm doing?"

"Well… yes, I suppose I am." The Doctor smiled crookedly.

River shook her head and stood up. "Well, in that case…" She smiled. "Come here, you."

The Doctor walked warily towards her, only to be surprised. He had been expecting the poignant sting of another slap on his face, but instead was greeted with a pair of warm lips gently brushing against his own. River pulled away, almost too soon in his opinion.

"Hello, sweetie," she said, still smiling.

Please to review? Pwease, with any kind of cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory you want on top?